New hires

New hires New City Clerk, Police Chief will come on board in June

RANDOLPH — The Randolph City Council approved the hiring of two key city employees at its May 14 meeting.

The decision was made after a 45-minute executive session was called to discuss the candidates and other issues.

Tony Backer, who has served as a part-time police officer and full-time utility worker for the city for several years, was hired as the new Randolph Chief of Police to replace the retiring Pat Eller.

Nicole Patent was hired as the new City Clerk/Treasurer. Patent, who currently works at Great Dane in Wayne, will begin her duties with the city on June 9 at a salary of $63,000 per year plus all city-provided benefits.

Backer will start on June 1, one day after Eller officially retires from the city for the second time.

Before making the decison to hire Backer, Councilman Todd Greiner, a certified law enforcement officer, shared information with the Council about state requirements for Class II cities, which require they have a police chief on staff or through a contract with another law enforcement agency.

The city of Hartington currently contracts with the Cedar County Sheriff’s office for its law enforcment services. Several years ago, the city of Laurel had a similar contract, but that only lasted a few years.

Greiner said contracting the position out could easily cost the city three times as much as it now spends for law enforcement. Any services provided by the county would also be much more limited, he said. He also shared his concerns about a delayed repsonse time if law enforcement had to come from Hartington.

The Council then voted to hire Backer at a salary of $62,500 per year, plus all city-provided benefits.

Bringing the new employees on board were just two of the many items the Council dealt with during Wednesday’s lengthy agenda.

The Council also agreed to sell several parcels of property.

Mitch and Tara Strathman put in an offer to buy the west one-and-a-half lots on Broadway Street where Nebraska Finest Meats operated a store. The lots are adjacent to the Frozen Cow. They would like to use the space to provide some outdoor seating for the Frozen Cow and for business expansion.

The Council accepted a bid of $13,500 from Bob Kint to purchase the west 75 feet of property on Block 10 near the flood control project. The council also accepted a bid of $12,000 from Ed Rhode for 130 feet of land in the same area.

Council members agreed selling the property would not only get it on the tax rolls, but would help keep it in good shape.

City auditor Kyle Overturf of AMGL of Grand Island presented the city’s audit report. Overturf’s only real concern was that an uncashed check should be taken out of the system.

The proposal to bring in a private garbage hauler was also discussed. No decision was made, however more discussion is expected at the June meeting.

The Council also approved Special Designated Liquor Licenses for Jerry’s Hilltop to sell alcohol at the City Auditorium on June 28 for a wedding dance and on July 12 for the alumni banquet.

The Council also accepted a $20,016 bid from Wattiers to replace the northeast heating and cooling unit on the City Auditorium.